- A
Continue using the daisy-chained setup since it is convenient and all strips are rated for 15 amps.
Why wrong: Even if each strip is rated for 15A, daisy-chaining can cause cumulative overload and is against OSHA and NFPA safety guidelines.
- B
Remove the daisy chain and plug each device directly into a wall outlet using a single power strip with surge protection.
This reduces the risk of overload and ensures each strip is properly protected by a circuit breaker.
- C
Replace all power strips with heavy-duty extension cords rated for the total load.
Why wrong: Extension cords are not designed for permanent use and can also be a tripping hazard; power strips with breakers are preferred.
- D
Install a UPS at the end of the daisy chain to regulate power.
Why wrong: A UPS does not fix the daisy-chain issue; it can still overload the circuit and the UPS itself may be damaged.
Quick Answer
The correct safety action is to remove the daisy chain and plug each device directly into a wall outlet using a single power strip with surge protection. Daisy chaining power strips is a serious safety hazard because it compounds the electrical load on a single circuit, easily exceeding the circuit’s ampacity and causing the wiring to overheat, which can lead to an electrical fire. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this concept tests your understanding of workplace safety and best practices for power distribution, often appearing as a scenario where a technician must identify the proper response to an overloaded cubicle setup. A common trap is assuming that daisy chaining is acceptable if the strips have built-in breakers, but the real risk is cumulative current draw that the wall circuit cannot handle. Remember the memory tip: “One strip, one circuit, no chain—prevent the fire and stay sane.”
220-1202 Safety Procedures and Compliance Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of safety procedures and compliance. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A technician is setting up a new workstation in a cubicle. The cubicle has multiple power strips daisy-chained together to provide enough outlets. What is the correct safety action the technician should take?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Remove the daisy chain and plug each device directly into a wall outlet using a single power strip with surge protection.
Daisy-chaining power strips is a fire hazard because it can exceed the ampacity of the circuit, leading to overheating and potential electrical fires. The correct safety action is to remove the daisy chain and plug each device directly into a wall outlet, using a single power strip with surge protection to safely distribute power without overloading the circuit.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Continue using the daisy-chained setup since it is convenient and all strips are rated for 15 amps.
Why it's wrong here
Even if each strip is rated for 15A, daisy-chaining can cause cumulative overload and is against OSHA and NFPA safety guidelines.
- ✓
Remove the daisy chain and plug each device directly into a wall outlet using a single power strip with surge protection.
Why this is correct
This reduces the risk of overload and ensures each strip is properly protected by a circuit breaker.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Replace all power strips with heavy-duty extension cords rated for the total load.
Why it's wrong here
Extension cords are not designed for permanent use and can also be a tripping hazard; power strips with breakers are preferred.
- ✗
Install a UPS at the end of the daisy chain to regulate power.
Why it's wrong here
A UPS does not fix the daisy-chain issue; it can still overload the circuit and the UPS itself may be damaged.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that using multiple high-rated power strips in series is safe as long as each strip's rating is not exceeded, ignoring the cumulative load on the upstream circuit and the fire risk from daisy-chaining.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Daisy-chaining power strips increases the total current draw on the first strip's receptacle and the wall outlet, which can exceed the circuit breaker's rating (e.g., 15A at 120V). Even if each strip is rated for 15A, the cumulative load from multiple devices can cause the first strip's internal wiring or the wall outlet to overheat. In real-world scenarios, this is a common cause of office fires, and OSHA explicitly prohibits daisy-chaining as a permanent power solution.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Safety Procedures and Compliance — This question tests Safety Procedures and Compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Remove the daisy chain and plug each device directly into a wall outlet using a single power strip with surge protection. — Daisy-chaining power strips is a fire hazard because it can exceed the ampacity of the circuit, leading to overheating and potential electrical fires. The correct safety action is to remove the daisy chain and plug each device directly into a wall outlet, using a single power strip with surge protection to safely distribute power without overloading the circuit.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 220-1202
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A technician is troubleshooting a PC that repeatedly shuts down. The user mentions the computer is plugged into a power strip that also has a space heater and a laser printer. What is the most likely cause of the shutdowns?
medium- A.The computer's power supply is failing.
- ✓ B.The power strip is overloaded and cannot supply stable voltage.
- C.The space heater is emitting electrical interference.
- D.The laser printer needs a toner replacement.
Why B: The most likely cause is that the power strip is overloaded because it is simultaneously supplying power to a space heater (a high-wattage resistive load), a laser printer (which draws significant current during fuser warm-up), and the PC. This overload causes the power strip's circuit breaker to trip or the voltage to sag below the PC's power supply tolerance, resulting in repeated shutdowns. Option B is correct because the combined current draw exceeds the power strip's rated capacity, leading to unstable voltage delivery.
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1202 exam.
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